Along with his brother, Budz, he realsed the album Mr Fiddler in 1990 on Elektra. His debut solo album Waltz of a Ghetto Fly was released in 2004.
The new album'Afro Strut' is the follow up to that record and a sign that his assured and open-minded approach to his own sound has engendered a stylistic leap forward, creating in the process a diverse and ambitious second album. As a man who has achieved almost every goal he has set himself, whether it be becoming a multi instrumentalist talent, joining George Clinton's Funkadelic, or developing a base for like minded musical luminaries to collaborate and create, it was always to be expected. 'Waltz...' was more of a vibe, a full stop on a long period of his life to that point and a drawing together of unfinished songs and feelings from his youth. 'Afro Strut' was to be the fresh start that sees Amp able to look further forward as well as back to his roots, and as a result has the feel of a more fully-realised vision.
The array of collaborators and contributors to the record further emphasises this approach. Opener 'Faith' sets the standard with Amp joined by Raphael Saadiq on a timelessly deep ode to spirituality of a different kind. The UK's Justin Crawford (one half of Manchester-based dj/production outfit Unabombers) is brought in for two of the standout disco-flecked cuts 'Right Where You Are' and 'Ridin'. Amp's Jazz heritage rolls to the fore on the uplifting 'If I Don't', recalling his days in doo-wop outfit The Enchantments as a teenager and laying open the musical make up of its creator.
The sadly departed Jay Dilla's group Slum Village, another product of Camp Amp, the basement recording studio at Amp's 7 Mile home that has also had local luminary Moodyman in regular residence, is represented on the bumping 'I Need You'. Tony Allen, the man accredited with creating afrobeat alongside the great Fela Kuti, provides the drums on Afro Strut and another great, Jay-Z collaborator, Grammy winning string arranger and former member of MFSB Larry Gold steps up on album closer 'Hustle.
By referencing many of the great contemporary black music movements be it Jazz, Doo-Wop, Afrobeat, soul or hip-hop, Afro Strut is, like its predecessor, without modern day comparison. The collusion of a lifetime of influences and experiences that are drawn on, used, discarded and Amp-lified across twelve rich slices of raw funk.
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Come See Me
Amp Fiddler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No truth babe, no trust
If you think I'm running in the streets while you're gone
I'll be there, it's true, yeah
Don't you think it might be imagination
Baby, believe me, yeah
Open up your eyes, we can do the damn thing
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
If you wanna be my lover, baby, come and see me
Change the way you see things
And things will change believe it, it's true babe
See yourself coming back to me
I'll be here for you, it's true, yeah
I can wait days [Incomprehensible] you
Better come through right away
Open up your eyes we can do the damn things
You gotta find a way
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
If you wanna be my lover, baby, come and see me
How can you miss me if I never go away from you, babe?
If you diss me now you'll be missing me later, it's true
I'll come see you if you can't come see me, hey
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
If you wanna be my lover, baby, come to see me
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
The lyrics of Amp Fiddler's song "Come See Me" seem to be about a relationship - a relationship that is built on a lack of trust and communication. The singer is reassuring his partner that he is not going to be unfaithful, even though she may not believe him. He tries to convince her that reality may not be what she thinks it is and encourages her to change her mindset in order to make the relationship work. The line "change the way you see things and things will change" seems to suggest that the problem lies more in the way she perceives the situation than in his actual behavior. Ultimately, the song is a plea for understanding and an invitation to work together to overcome their issues.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of physically being together, with the repetition of the phrase "come see me." The singer seems to believe that if they spend enough time in each other's company, they can work through their problems and build a stronger relationship. There is a sense of urgency in the lyrics, with lines like "better come through right away" and "I'll come see you if you can't come see me," suggesting that the singer is worried that the relationship is in danger of falling apart.
One interesting thing about this song is that it features backing vocals by Prince, whom Amp Fiddler had collaborated with in the past. Another interesting fact is that the song was released on Amp Fiddler's debut album Waltz of a Ghetto Fly, which was produced by fellow Detroit musician J Dilla. The album received critical acclaim and helped to establish Amp Fiddler as a prominent figure in the neo-soul movement of the 2000s.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything you think is not the way it really is
Your perceptions may not match up with reality.
No truth babe, no trust
Without truth, there can be no trust in a relationship.
If you think I'm running in the streets while you're gone
If you suspect me of cheating or being unfaithful...
I'll be there, it's true, yeah
...rest assured, I'll be faithful and never stray.
Don't you think it might be imagination
Consider that your suspicions may be unfounded and the product of your imagination.
Baby, believe me, yeah
Trust in our love and in me as your partner.
Open up your eyes, we can do the damn thing
We can make our relationship work if we both put in the effort and communicate openly.
I'll never go away
I am committed to this relationship and I'm not going anywhere.
Change the way you see things
Shift your perspective and consider things from a different angle.
And things will change believe it, it's true babe
If you can adjust your mindset, you can improve and transform our relationship.
See yourself coming back to me
Imagine a future where we are still together and happy.
I'll be here for you, it's true, yeah
Know that I will always be here to support and love you.
I can wait days [Incomprehensible] you
I am willing to be patient if you need time to sort out your feelings.
Better come through right away
But please don't make me wait too long - I need your love and attention.
You gotta find a way
The responsibility is on you to make this relationship work - we both need to put in the effort.
How can you miss me if I never go away from you, babe?
I will always be present and committed to our relationship, so you don't need to worry about losing me.
If you diss me now you'll be missing me later, it's true
If you push me away or mistreat me, you'll regret it when I'm gone.
I'll come see you if you can't come see me, hey
I am willing to make the effort to see you and maintain our relationship, even if it's not always easy or convenient.
If you wanna be my lover, baby, don't you see me
If you truly want to be in a relationship with me, then you need to trust me and believe in our love.
If you wanna be my lover, baby, come to see me
And if you want to make this relationship work, then you need to be willing to make the time and effort to be with me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH ANTHONY FIDDLER, ANDY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind